"I am going on strike because my employer, Capital Building Services Group, is cheating us,” Duniyo Hussein, who cleans the Macy's at the Mall of America for CBSG, said. "$8.00 an hour is not fair for the work we do. We work hard. In the United States, no one should make such a low wage. I am going on strike so we can win fair wages and more rights at our job."

“Fast food workers shut down Minneapolis intersection,” Barb Kucera, WorkDay Minnesota, April 15, 2015 “This is our moment — we are going to change service jobs from ones that drag our economy down into ones that lift up workers, families and communities,” said Carmela Palacios, Burger King employee and member of CTUL, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha/Center of Workers United in Struggle. “Fast-food workers are joining together and standing up for what’s right, and standing with so many people working in a variety of industries, we are stronger than ever. I know we will win.”

“Twin Cities workers join national call for $15-an-hour wage,” Jon Collins, MPR News, April 15, 2015 "Carmela Palacios has worked at a Burger King on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis for a dozen years and makes about $8.50 an hour. She said her paycheck isn't enough to support her two children and husband."

"They toil all hours to provide holiday service," Op-Ed by Representative Ryan Winkler in the Star Tribune, Nov. 27. "So this Thanksgiving, we owe Minnesota’s low-wage workers a debt of gratitude for making our favorite holiday celebrations possible. We should also thank them for reminding us that our economy needs to change and that it can change, if people speak up and start demanding better. We should support the low-wage workers who are standing up for all of us"

“Fast food workers demand higher wages and right to unionize,” NBC Kare 11, Melissa Colorado, Sept. 4, 2014 (includes video). "I believe that we should all have a raise at some point...I think it's a good way to show the big people, the big corporations what we're made of, what we stand for, what we believe in. Our voices will be heard," Guillermo Lindsay, McDonald's worker and CTUL leader in the Twin Cities Strike.

“Fast Food Workers Protest Wages at Minneapolis McDonald’s,” CBS Minnesota WCCO, Pat Kessler, Sept. 4, 2014 (includes video). Dania Caldwell, Burger King worker and CTUL leader in the Twin Cities Strike, talks about why she is organizing: “It’s hard. I live paycheck to paycheck...With me having three kids, I have to buy diapers. I have to buy clothes and school supplies. And I have no help, really.”

"The janitors who clean Twin Cities Target stores announced victory today, after the retailer agreed to a new policy that will give the workers better conditions, including the right to collectively bargain, and ensure workers are not forced to work seven days a week."

The complaint alleged that certain managers made workers, mostly at five Twin Cities Target stores, punch into work on certain days using “ghost employee” ID cards. According to the court documents, the “scheme” required the janitors to clock in and sign work cards using the names of former DMS employees at least one or two days a week. The practice meant that those who worked as much as 56 to 80 hours a week received only regular pay.

“OUR Walmart’s the organization united for respect at Walmart,” said Michael Ahles, who works at the Sauk Centre Walmart. “It consists of former and current associates at Walmart. We’re trying to reason with Walmart that we need better wage, better hours, benefits, that some of the company policies need to change. But they are fighting back at us.”

Former and current employees of the giant corporation describe systemic abuse and harassment by management at Walmart stores and warehouses. When asked about their demands, many workers talk about the desire for management to respect and listen to the workers.

'Just by increasing wages and making health care affordable, Walmart can turn this country around, they have that power, to raise up the poverty level,' said (Gabe) Teneyuque, (striking Walmart employee).

"Diversified is a national cleaning company that has contracts with several large retailers in the Twin Cities area including Target, Best Buy, Sears and Kmart. The contractor has been sued several times, in other locations around the country, for fair labor law violations, court records show."